Leduc Formation, Dolostone formation in Alberta, Canada
The Leduc Formation is a dolostone layer in central Alberta composed of multiple reef complexes and platform structures. It varies in thickness between 180 and 300 meters and extends across much of the region.
The formation was formally described by Imperial Oil Limited in 1950 following the discovery of the Leduc No. 1 well, dating to the Late Devonian period. This discovery led to a major oil boom in central Alberta.
The formation's discovery transformed Alberta's economy, leading to rapid development of petroleum industries and substantial population growth in Calgary and Edmonton.
This formation is mainly known as an underground rock layer and is not directly accessible for public visits. Understanding it requires geological knowledge or specialized guided tours.
The formation contains diverse fossils of stromatoporoids, bivalves, brachiopods, and corals from ancient seas. These organisms helped build the reef structures that now store oil and gas.
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